Most of the Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Pathways Academy students who won awards during a ceremony on Friday, Nov. 30, pose for a photo on stage in the cafeteria at the Remington school building in Ilion.

ILION – Moments before the recent award ceremony to promote positive behavior at the Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Pathways Academy at Remington was set to begin, more chairs had to be added in order to fit all of the parents in attendance.

Growing the size of the ceremony ties in with the overall goal of the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program at Pathways Academy, said Erica Haver, a Pathways Academy teacher and PBIS team leader.

“With these awards, we see more students earning certificates each quarter,” she said. “Each time we do it, we have more and more parents participating.”

The quarterly Pathways Awards started last school year, and the ceremony for the first quarter of this school year took place on Friday, Nov. 30, in the cafeteria at the Remington school building in Ilion. Several dozen parents attended to watch their children receive awards in a variety of categories such as academics, attendance, behavior, improvement and work ethic.

The Pathways Academy focuses on students who have had a difficult time in a traditional school structure or have to catch up on credits but have the ability to get a high school diploma. Pathways Academy classes are project-driven and infuse career and technical education.

The PBIS program includes starting off the school year with a several-day orientation activity focused on teamwork among students, teachers and staff. It also includes students earning “BOCES Bucks” for positive behavior that they can use on reward days to purchase items or experiences, and the first Pathways Academy Student Council has been established.

Herkimer BOCES Principal of Alternative Education Patrick Corrigan began the recent awards ceremony by saying it’s a great opportunity to recognize students and involve parents.

“There’s been a lot of really hard work done in this building – behaviorally and academically,” Corrigan said. “And we want to acknowledge that.”

Haver said the award ceremonies have helped create improvements. Students seem to be motivated by seeing other students win awards, she said.

“It’s definitely given them that positive boost they need to try the next quarter to receive an award,” she said.

The increasing number of parents attending also has many beneficial aspects, Haver said.

“I think it’s important for them to see the successes their students are having here,” she said.

The following is a list of the PBIS awards for the first quarter of the 2018-19 school year and the students who received them.

Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Principal of Alternative Education Patrick Corrigan speaks during a Pathways Academy at Remington awards ceremony on Friday, Nov. 30, in the cafeteria at the Remington school building in Ilion.